The 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T Redline will roar into Chicago

Among the introductions at next week’s 2013 Chicago Auto Show will be the 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T Redline with this sinister appearance package coming wrapped around the Hemi-powered Challenger offering 375 horsepower and 410lb-ft of torque.

The Redline appearance package has been previously offered for the 2012 Dodge Challenger but before the introduction of the new 2013 Challenger R/T Redline – buyers could only order the redline package with the entry level V6 engine and an automatic transmission. This meant that these sporty looking Challengers were technically the slowest possible configuration for the brawny Mopar muscle car but when the 2013 Chicago Auto Show opens next week, the Redline package will finally be unveiled for the Hemi Challengers.

The 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T Redline carries a similar design theme as the 2012 Challenger Rallye Redline beginning with the sexy 20” black chrome aluminum wheels featuring a thin red line running around the outer edge of the rim. Unique to the 2013 Challenger R/T Redline wheels is a hefty coating of bright red paint to the inner portion of the rim (behind the spokes) while the V6 rims are solid black chrome. Also, where the previous V6 Redline featured a think red stripe running along the middle of the hood, the new R/T Redline has unique two tone red and dark gray stripes running down the side of the car with the Redline logo on the rear quarter panels. The exterior portion of the R/T Redline package is finished off by a unique body colored grille surround and buyers can pick from four different exterior hues - Billet Silver, Granite Crystal, Bright White and Pitch Black. Pitch Black seems to me to be the best choice of the group but to each his own.

“Building on Challenger’s all-time sales record in 2012, the new Challenger R/T Redline fuses our iconic heritage with a one-of-a-kind customized appearance,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “Featuring unique body-side stripes and black chrome wheels with red accents, the new R/T Redline combines unmatched personalization with the unmistakable performance of the legendary HEMI V-8.”

Inside, the 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T Redline features a Dark Slate Gray interior with Dark Slate Gray cloth performance seats in the basic R/T models while those who opt for the R/T Plus for their Redline package get the same Dark Slate Gray interior with their choice of Radar Red or Dark Slate Gray premium Nappa leather performance seats. Those Challenger R/T Redline models equipped with the automatic transmission also get a remote start system and a Mopar T-handle shift knob.

Where the 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T Redline really differs from the 2012 Challenger Rallye Redline is under the hood where the 305hp Pentastar V6 is replaced by the 5.7L Hemi V8. When fitted to the 6-speed manual transmission, the Challenger R/T Redline provides 375 horsepower and 410lb-ft of torque while those units fitted with the Hemi and the 5-speed automatic transmission pack 372hp and 400lb-ft of torque. The manually shifted Challenger R/T Redline is able to dash from 0-60 miles per hour in the 5 second range en route to a top speed in the range of 140+ mph.

The 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T Redline is available for order at dealerships around the country right now with the first units rolling out of the Brampton Ontario production facility in April. The Challenger R/T Redline package carries an MSRP of $1,995 – bringing the MSRP of the Challenger R/T to $31,990 while the Challenger R/T Plus with the Redline package starts at $33,990 (these prices do not include the $995 destination fee).

The 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T Redline will make its grand debut late next week when the 2013 Chicago Auto Show opens to the media with public viewing beginning next weekend.